ConstellationsConstellations

AstronomyAstronomy

The scientific study of the universe beyond The scientific study of the universe beyond the Earththe Earth

Tells us about the origin, history and Tells us about the origin, history and structure of our universe and solar systemstructure of our universe and solar system

Uses telescopes and satellitesUses telescopes and satellites

AstrologyAstrologyThe study that interprets how the The study that interprets how the

positions of the stars, planets and moon positions of the stars, planets and moon effect your personality, fate, relationships effect your personality, fate, relationships etcetc

ASTERISMASTERISM

A cluster of stars that is a subset of a A cluster of stars that is a subset of a constellation constellation

Ex : the Big Dipper is part of the Ex : the Big Dipper is part of the constellation Ursa Major- the Great Bearconstellation Ursa Major- the Great Bear

An unofficial constellationAn unofficial constellation

CONSTELLATIONCONSTELLATION

A group of stars in the same region of the A group of stars in the same region of the sky to which a name has been givensky to which a name has been given

Ex: Orion, Capricorn, PegasusEx: Orion, Capricorn, Pegasus

Any of the 88 groups of stars seen from Any of the 88 groups of stars seen from Earth named by ancient Greeks after Earth named by ancient Greeks after animals, objects or mythological figuresanimals, objects or mythological figures

CIRCUMPOLARCIRCUMPOLAR

A group of 5 constellations that circle close A group of 5 constellations that circle close to the North Starto the North Star

These constellations never fall below the These constellations never fall below the horizonhorizon

Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus and DracoCepheus and Draco

EclipticEclipticThe part of the sky that is the plane of orbit The part of the sky that is the plane of orbit

of the sun, the moon and the planetsof the sun, the moon and the planets

The zodiac constellations fall in this great The zodiac constellations fall in this great circlecircle

HOROSCOPEHOROSCOPE

A prediction made based on the position of A prediction made based on the position of the sun, moon and planetsthe sun, moon and planets

A chart or diagram showing the positions A chart or diagram showing the positions of celestial bodies and interpreted for their of celestial bodies and interpreted for their influence over human eventsinfluence over human events

PRECESSIONPRECESSION

The slow cone shaped motion of the Earth’s The slow cone shaped motion of the Earth’s axis of rotationaxis of rotation

The Earth wobbles as it rotates over a The Earth wobbles as it rotates over a 25,800 year period25,800 year period

This causes the zodiac constellations to line This causes the zodiac constellations to line up differently with the sun over long periods up differently with the sun over long periods of timeof time

ZodiacZodiac

A band of constellations found along the A band of constellations found along the eclipticecliptic

Originally contained 12 signs or “houses”Originally contained 12 signs or “houses”The sun resides in each constellation for The sun resides in each constellation for

approximately one monthapproximately one month

ConstellationsConstellations

There are only 88 official constellationsThere are only 88 official constellations13 Zodiac Constellations13 Zodiac Constellations5 Circumpolar Constellations5 Circumpolar ConstellationsSeveral constellations are seen in both the Several constellations are seen in both the

Northern and Southern HemispheresNorthern and Southern Hemispheres In the past elaborate pictures were drawn In the past elaborate pictures were drawn

to represent the story behind the to represent the story behind the constellationconstellation

Orion the HunterOrion the Hunter

Orion the HunterOrion the Hunter

Ancient People in Europe and the Middle Ancient People in Europe and the Middle East saw a hunter brandishing a club East saw a hunter brandishing a club when they looked at Orionwhen they looked at Orion

In Australia, it is turned upside downIn Australia, it is turned upside downTo professional astronomers, Orion is an To professional astronomers, Orion is an

irregular part of the skyirregular part of the sky

Orion the HunterOrion the Hunter

By the late 19By the late 19thth century, popular stargazing century, popular stargazing guides began to represent constellations guides began to represent constellations as stick figuresas stick figures

In 1952 H.A. Rey (author of Curious In 1952 H.A. Rey (author of Curious George) revolutionized the way we look at George) revolutionized the way we look at constellations by connecting the dots in constellations by connecting the dots in new and clever ways.new and clever ways.

Orion 2Orion 2

Orion 3Orion 3

Which do you like better?Which do you like better?